>>57234"Well, I was curious about that, actually," you say.
"Luna, I believe it's time for you to perform your duties," Celestia says, gently reminding Luna of the time.
"Oh! You are right, thank you sister," Luna says, rising from the table and nodding in your direction, before nodding to Golden and Bear, who kneel in response, "I still think you should tell him. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
With that, Luna leaves to raise the moon, leaving the four of you alone.
"Well, if Bear would like to tell you himself when he's ready, I'll leave that to his discretion," Celestia says, smiling at Bear.
"Thank you, Princess," Bear replies from his kneeling position.
Celestia motions for you to eat, and motions the guards to do so as well, causing both of them to look at one another before sitting on either side of you and the Princess.
"The three of you seem to have grown rather close in such a short period of time," Celestia says with a smile, "I'm pleased."
"Th-thank you, Princess," Golden says while Bear nods his thanks.
Celestia looks at a clock, then rises from her seat, "I have some last minute business to be about. Take care of my student now, and enjoy your meal."
"Of course, Princess," both of them intone as she leaves.
When she's gone, you look at Bear expectantly. He sighs, putting a fork into his salad with finality.
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you."
He clears his throat as Golden eats some mashed potatoes, and you listen intently.
"When I was a rookie some years ago, the unit I was in was out patrolling. Most the animals in that particular neck of the woods aren't too dangerous, and they stay out of our paths."
"Well, on that night, we came across a monster. Ursa Minor they call it. Huge thing, had some of our guys quaking in their armor. Our leader yells a retreat, but that thing just sweeps one of it's arms out and bowls him over, right into a tree. Another rookie goes to see if he's alright, but he's hurt bad. We couldn't just carry him out with that thing looking over us. So I did what I knew I had to do; I thumped one of the monster's toes and ran as fast as my legs could carry me, right in the opposite direction."
He puts his head in his hooves, running one through his mane as he continues, "For three days it chased me. Three whole days. Finally I ran into a mountain pass, square into a dead end. I could see the trees shaking as it caught up with me that night, and I knew I was dead."
"But you didn't die, you're right here," Golden says, earning a shushing noise from you for his interruption.
"Well, of course. I wasn't going to go down without a fight. It popped out into the clearing I was on the edge of, growling menacingly. It stopped to take a breath, and I just yelled at it with everything I had."